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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Vermont has taken the initiative against Monsanto and other biotechnology corporations in launching new legislation that would require the labeling of products containing genetically modified ingredients.

The bill, known as the ‘VT Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act’, was introduced to the Vermont House of Representatives by Representative Kate Webb of Shelburne on February 1st, 2012.

The bill would require the labeling of not only products filled entirely with GMOs, but also for those partially created using GM ingredients.

Perhaps most monumental is the fact that the legislation would prohibit GMO food manufacturers from using promotional labels like “natural,” “naturally made,” “naturally grown,” “all natural,” or any words of similar import.

The bill, which can be read for free online, would require strict and clear labeling on GMO-containing food items. The wording states that in the case of a raw agricultural commodity, the label ‘genetically modified’ would be clearly visible. As for processed food products, the words ‘partially produced with genetic engineering’ or ‘may be partially produced with genetic engineering’ would appear prominently on the front or back of the package.

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture , testimony is to begin on the topic later this month.

The introduction of the legislation highlights the growing grassroots opposition against Monsanto and GMOs alike. In addition, the legislation would end phony ‘all natural’ product claims when in actuality they contain very unnatural genetically modified organisms. Just recently one consumer took legal action against major snack-maker Frito-Lay, claiming that the labeling of GMO-filled snack products as ‘all natural’ is deceptive and misleading. VPIRG Consumer Protection Advocate Falko Schilling spoke in support of the act saying:

This is a consumer right to know issue, just as we require nutritional labels on food so that shoppers can make informed choices, consumers should have the same access to information about whether their food has been genetically engineered.

In the event this bill passes, a political awakening could occur across the nation regarding the true labeling of products filled with genetically modified ingredients.

6 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Given a choice, few consumers would opt to buy food containing GMO ingredients and the resulting decline in sales would cause Big Food and Monsanto to lose money. That's all you really need to know if you're wondering if this GMO labeling thing will actually happen.

The Obama administration will NEVER permit informed decisions to trump profit. Look for our court system to quickly and forcefully squash GMO labeling.

The labeling of GMO's on food Labels would be the death knell for Monsanto and the companies who include GMO ingredients in their products. I contacted one commercial bakery that advertised all natural ingredients to see if their products contained GMO's ingredients. They said yes but said they would love to switch to non GMO but the supply was lacking.

The labeling of GMO's on food Labels would be the death knell for Monsanto and the companies who include GMO ingredients in their products. I contacted one commercial bakery that advertised all natural ingredients to see if their products contained GMO's ingredients. They said yes but said they would love to switch to non GMO but the supply was lacking.

The VT Right to Know GMO bill makes so much sense! Let the free-market system work and allow consumers the right to know what’s in their food. If they choose to eat Monsato’s GMO-laden food, so be it. However, with any understanding at all of the subject, I think consumers will make a healthier choice.

The group sponsoring the bill is keeping people up to date on their Facebook page. “Like” it to find out how Vermont is going to be 1st AGAIN! https://www.facebook.com/VTrighttoknow

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